Re: [Paddlewise] PFD lights - flashing red or continuous white

From: "Gordin Warner" <hmgwarner_at_shaw.ca>

> I just bought a PFD light and it comes with two led bulbs.  Ones a 
> continuous white light and the other is a flashing red light.  What are the 
> regulations (Can &USA) regarding lights. 

I think they are the same.

> I thought a continuous white was illegal on a PFD.  

Continuous white is legal and, for kayakers, required for night operation 
as a minimum in Canada; you are allowed the red-port/green-starboard/white-aft 
pattern as well.  I think US is the same at least where continuous white is 
concerned.

> Both are unidirectional.  

White has to be visible all round - meaning that you can point a unidirectional
(like a flashlight) in the direction of an oncoming vessel or you use a C-light
or similar.  Having a unidirectional light fixed on a PFD seems like it won't
fully satisfy this rule.  However, it could augment an additional light.
It is not an emergency light.

> IMO the white seems much brighter 

White/amber/red is the sequence of decreasing visibility for a given output.  
It's interesting that red is a warning light and yet it's the least visible.

A red flashing light isn't an official distress signal - flashing white is
on the Great Lakes (or so I think, color may not be relevant).  Nonetheless,
anything that draws attention is a useful emergency signal- official or not.

> and I believe would be easier to see in stormy seas, but I could be wrong.  

White could also look like a reflection of light on the water.  If the moon
is up, all bets are off; on a fully overcast night, the light would stand out.

Mike

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